Organizer Information
The University of Iowa is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, and one of three universities governed by the Iowa Board of Regents. Its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences includes the School of Art, Art History, and Design and the Department of Cinematic Arts, alongside programs in other visual and performing arts disciplines. The School of Art, Art History, and Design offers undergraduate and graduate study in studio art and art history, while Cinematic Arts offers undergraduate programs in cinema and screenwriting and graduate programs in film studies and film/video production.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: The University of Iowa
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Art History / Film & Cinema / Screenwriting / Photography / Graphic Design / Intermedia / Design
- Relevant Programs: BA in Art; BFA in Art; BA in Art History; BFA in Photography; BA in Cinema; BA in Screenwriting Arts; MA in Studio Arts; MFA in Studio Arts; MA in Film Studies; MFA in Film and Video Production; PhD in Film Studies; MA in Art History; PhD in Art History.
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Rolling for undergraduate admission; program-specific deadlines for graduate programs
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate international applicants — 3 May for fall/summer and 16 November for spring; graduate deadlines are program-specific.
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring options vary by program
- Application Fee: $85 undergraduate international; $100 graduate international
- Tuition: Undergraduate international CLAS tuition & fees estimated at $35,442 for 2026–27; graduate tuition varies by program and enrollment.
- Funding: Merit scholarships, graduate assistantships, fellowships, and other institutional funding are available for eligible students.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- The School of Art, Art History, and Design accepts students into studio disciplines including ceramics, graphic design, 3D design, drawing, intermedia, jewelry and metal arts, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Its graduate programs permit students to combine two studio emphases.
- Cinematic Arts covers filmmaking, film analysis, screenwriting, film history and theory. Undergraduate options include Cinema and Screenwriting Arts, while graduate study includes Film Studies and Film and Video Production.
- For graduate studio art, the MA requires a BA or BFA in art equivalent to the University of Iowa degree. The MFA is the subsequent degree and requires an MA in art equivalent to Iowa's program; students may enter it by invitation following the MA.
General Eligibility
- International applicants are eligible. Undergraduate international first-year applicants who completed secondary school outside the United States must generally present three years of completed secondary coursework, secondary-school completion, a minimum 3.0 GPA on academic coursework, appropriate academic records, and the applicable high-school course preparation. International curricula are reviewed in the context of the applicant's educational system.
- Graduate applicants must satisfy both Graduate College requirements and the requirements of the specific program. Requirements therefore differ substantially between Film Studies, Film and Video Production, studio art, and art history.
Language Requirements
- International applicants must meet the University's English proficiency requirements unless an applicable exemption applies. The undergraduate IELTS requirement is 6.5 overall with no subscore below 6.0. TOEFL requirements differ according to the test date and format.
- Graduate English requirements are program-specific. International applicants who do not qualify for a waiver may need TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores. For example, Art History requires IELTS 8.0 or TOEFL 100 iBT, while studio-art applicants whose previous degrees were not earned at an English-language institution must meet the School's stated English requirement.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Level | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate international | $85 |
| Graduate/professional international | $100 |
The University's 2026–27 Registrar fee schedule lists these amounts.
Tuition
| Study Level / Applicant | Tuition & Fees / Billing Structure | Other Mandatory or Potential Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate international, Liberal Arts & Sciences | $35,442 estimated for 2026–27, full-time fall and spring | Health insurance $2,628; other listed university/student fees apply |
| Graduate international, Liberal Arts & Sciences | Program-specific; estimate applies to students enrolled for 9+ semester hours in fall and spring | $325 international graduate matriculation fee; $250 records/documents fee; $120 English proficiency evaluation; $3,504 student health insurance; $450 international student fee for fall/spring |
The University states that graduate tuition varies by degree program and student type. Mandatory fees also vary by college and program.
Funding & Financial Support
- International undergraduate students are eligible for limited merit scholarships. For Fall 2027, the National Scholars Award provides $2,000–$15,000 per year for up to four years to eligible incoming nonresident first-year students who complete their application by 1 February 2027.
- Graduate funding varies by program. Film and Video Production MFA students are typically funded through teaching for three years, and the program states that the MFA typically includes full funding for all three years. Additional fellowships and grants may also be available.
- The School of Art, Art History, and Design also offers assistantships and fellowships; some studio-art areas explicitly state that graduate assistantships and competitive fellowships can provide full tuition waivers.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant support includes professional studio and production facilities, graduate advising and faculty mentorship, research resources, portfolio development, visiting artists and curators, exhibitions, internships, and career services. Photography students have access to studios, darkroom facilities, Adobe-equipped computers, printing facilities, cameras and related equipment.
- Cinematic Arts provides production infrastructure and connections with arts organizations and festivals, while the University’s Pomerantz Career Center provides internship and employment resources.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate international applicants: application, academic records, English proficiency evidence, and other materials required for the applicant's educational background. SAT/ACT is generally optional for admission but may be required for particular scholarship consideration or to demonstrate English proficiency.
- Film Studies MA/PhD: statement of purpose, academic writing sample of no more than 20 pages, CV/resume, three recommendation letters, and transcript.
- Film and Video Production MFA: statement of purpose, creative work sample of 20 minutes or less, CV/resume, three recommendation letters, and transcripts.
- Studio Art MA: statement of purpose, transcripts, three recommendation contacts, and discipline-specific portfolio. Portfolio requirements range from 8–20 images/projects depending on the studio area.
- Art History MA/PhD: statement of purpose, research/writing sample, transcripts, and three recommendation letters; specific academic preparation applies.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Action Deadline: 2 November 2026 — undergraduate first-year admission
- Regular Admission Deadline: 1 February 2027 — undergraduate first-year admission
- International Applicant Deadline: 3 May 2027 — Liberal Arts & Sciences, fall/summer admission
- International Applicant Deadline: 16 November 2026 — Liberal Arts & Sciences, spring admission
- Graduate Film Studies Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Graduate Film and Video Production MFA Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Studio Art Deadline: 1 February 2026 — fall admission cycle published by the School
- Art History Deadline: 10 January 2026 — fall admission cycle published by the School
Location
The University of Iowa — Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Additional Details
Graduate admissions are highly program-specific, and applicants should use the individual program page before preparing an application. International graduate applicants admitted with F-1 or J-1 status must provide evidence of sufficient financial support for one year; qualifying graduate teaching or research assistantships may be used toward this financial requirement.
The current 2026–27 Registrar fee schedule lists the international undergraduate application fee as $85, while the University's international application-process page currently displays $80. The newer 2026–27 Registrar fee schedule is used above; applicants should verify the amount shown in the application system before payment.